WASHINGTON, DC – New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, President of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), today released the following statement on Congress’ tax bill on behalf of Democratic, Republican and Independent mayors:
“When Congress began its efforts to reform our nation’s tax code, it had a unique chance to create jobs, protect middle class families, and build stronger communities. It has squandered that opportunity.
“The bill being sent to President Trump’s desk is a full-fledged assault on cities and the families who live in them. Mayors raised their voices to protect essential tools for cities like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and the Historic Tax Credit, while averting a full elimination of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. There’s no mistaking, however, that this bill will make our cities harder to live in and harder to run effectively – all for the benefit of wealthy political donors.
“Mayors of both parties fought tooth and nail to preserve the individual mandate, without which 13 million Americans could lose their insurance. Republican and Democratic mayors, not Washington politicians, will contend with emergency rooms filling up with the sick and the uninsured.
“But make no mistake: our cities will find a way forward. Mayors were elected to put their constituents first, and all of us – Democrat, Republican, or Independent – honor that commitment every day.
“No matter how much of a lurch we’ve been left in, mayors will meet this challenge.”